Kylian Mbappe ‘prefers Arsenal to Liverpool’ as two factors drive interest

Kylian Mbappe has a clear preference to join Arsenal if he were to consider a move to the Premier League, with the Paris Saint-Germain star dealing a cold snub to Liverpool as he ponders his next move. The French star is expected to leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer after a public falling out over a new contract and the Reds have admired the World Cup winner for some time, but that move now looks unlikely as it appears he favours a move to London instead.

Mbappe has entered the final year of his PSG contract and the 24-year-old issued a public statement confirming he would not be renewing his deal with the Parisian outfit.

That has sparked a chase of his signature with Real Madrid the favourites to land the France international, who scored 36 goals in all competitions last summer. Reports in the Spanish media also claimed Liverpool had lodged a £170million offer for Mbappe.

And while such reports have been denied by the Reds, according to The Independent, Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the French forward. However, he could face frustration if they pursue a move for the explosive forward as he would prioritise joining Arsenal over Liverpool.

The obvious stumbling block for Arsenal would be the sheer financial effort that comes with even convincing Mbappe to consider a move. Represented by his mother, Mbappe’s eye-watering wage demands could exceed £1m a week – and only a handful of clubs could even fathom allocating such a huge chunk of their budget to sign him.

One of them is his current club PSG, who handed the striker a lucrative two-year deal worth £94m with an option of a further year last summer. On that occasion, Mbappe decided to reject a switch to La Liga giants Real Madrid and stay in Paris.

But the situation has changed and Mbappe could leave on acrimonious terms after PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi insisted Mbappe would not be allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2024, suggesting he would be sold.

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